Natural Treatment for Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects women. The most common form is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), though the condition can also present as lupus nephritis (which affects the kidneys) or cutaneous lupus (which inflames the skin).¹Lubov JE, Jamison AS, Nelson BB, et al. Medicinal plant extracts and natural compounds for the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a systematic review. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.802624 Although lupus is incurable, its symptoms can be managed, flare-ups reduced, and disease progression slowed with a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle strategies.

Managing lupus symptoms

Lupus is typically diagnosed through symptom evaluation and lab tests, such as an antibody screening. Symptoms range from mild to severe and include rashes, fatigue, headache, fever, hair loss, mouth sores, joint pain, and shortness of breath.¹Lubov JE, Jamison AS, Nelson BB, et al. Medicinal plant extracts and natural compounds for the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a systematic review. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.802624 The disease can affect major organs, like the kidneys, heart, and lungs. Other common manifestations include digestive issues,²Voelker R. What is lupus? JAMA. 2024;332(15). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2823868 dry eyes, photosensitivity, and Raynaud’s phenomenon.³Dimant J, Ginzler E, Schlesinger M, et al. The clinical significance of Raynaud’s phenomenon in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 1979 Aug;22(8):815-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.1780220802

“Lupus is complex because its presentation varies greatly from person to person,” says Anastasia Stocker, ND, a physician at Aria Integrative Medicine in Seattle, Washington, which specializes in autoimmune conditions. “Symptoms can mimic other diseases, making diagnosis and monitoring more difficult.”

Lupus symptoms often worsen during flare-ups and subside throughout periods of remission. Flares may be fueled by stress and hormonal changes or infections, certain medications, and diet.⁴Islam MA, Khandker SS, Kotyla PJ, Hassan R. Immunomodulatory effects of diet and nutrients in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a systematic review. Front Immunol. 2020 Jul 22;11:1477. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01477 Sun exposure, physical exhaustion, injuries, and even common viruses are also known triggers. Recognizing what exacerbates symptoms is crucial for managing the disease effectively.

“Lupus is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, which makes identifying and managing triggers challenging,” notes Dr. Stocker. “Flare-ups are often unpredictable [and require] a highly individualized and flexible treatment approach.”

Conventional treatments

Conventional lupus treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing organ damage. Medications traditionally include corticosteroids to control inflammation and immunosuppressive drugs to reduce immune system overactivity. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed to alleviate pain, swelling, and fever. Antimalarial medications, like hydroxychloroquine, can help control skin and joint symptoms and may reduce the risk of flare-ups.⁵Lee SJ, Silverman E, Bargman JM. The role of antimalarial agents in the treatment of SLE and lupus nephritis. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2011 Oct 18;7(12):718-29. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneph.2011.150

Biologics, a newer class of drugs, target specific parts of the immune system and have shown promise in reducing disease activity for some patients. While these treatments can be effective, they come with significant side effects, which is why many patients seek complementary approaches. Physicians may also monitor and treat complications such as hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and cardiovascular risks associated with long-term inflammation.

Natural ways to treat lupus

Naturopathic strategies for lupus aim to address root causes of immune dysfunction and reduce the need for aggressive pharmaceutical interventions. Such approaches target underlying factors that contribute to autoimmune activity.

“While conventional medicine often relies on immunosuppressive medications to reduce inflammation and flare-ups, naturopathic care emphasizes strengthening the body’s natural defense mechanisms, reducing triggers, and restoring balance,” explains Dr. Stocker. “I work closely with patients to understand their unique health history, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. This includes addressing gut health, optimizing nutrition, supporting detoxification pathways, and managing stress—all of which play critical roles in modulating the immune system.”

Research links lupus with gut dysbiosis, a condition in which harmful bacteria outnumber beneficial bacteria.⁶Hevia A, Milani C, Lopez P, et al. Intestinal dysbiosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. mSphere. 2014. https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01548-14 “I may recommend lab testing, such as comprehensive gut microbiome testing or hormone assessments, to uncover possible hidden contributors,” Dr. Stocker says.

Identifying and correcting nutrient deficiencies is also essential. For example, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to worsened lupus symptoms.¹Lubov JE, Jamison AS, Nelson BB, et al. Medicinal plant extracts and natural compounds for the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a systematic review. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.802624 Supplementing with vitamin D may lower inflammation and slow disease progression.⁷Hassanalilou T, Khalili L, Ghavamzadeh S, et al. Role of vitamin D in systemic lupus erythematosus incidence and aggravation. Autoimmunity Highlights. 2017;9(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13317-017-0101-x

Other beneficial nutrients can support overall health and wellness in people with lupus:

• Omega–3 fatty acids (from fish oil) to improve fatigue and joint pain¹Lubov JE, Jamison AS, Nelson BB, et al. Medicinal plant extracts and natural compounds for the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a systematic review. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.802624
• Vitamin C, a complementary therapy for lupus⁸Minami Y, Sasaki T, Arai Y, et al. Diet and systemic lupus erythematosus: a 4 year prospective study of Japanese patients. J Rheumatol. 2003;30(4):747-54. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/126721 and other autoimmune disorders⁹Isola S, Gammeri L, Furci F, et al. Vitamin C supplementation in the treatment of autoimmune and onco-hematological diseases: from prophylaxis to adjuvant therapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137284
• N–acetyl cysteine (NAC) for mitigating disease activity and complications specific to SLE¹⁰Abbasifard M, Khorramdelazad H, Rostamian A, et al. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity and its associated complications: a randomized double-blind clinical trial study. Trials. 2023;24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07083-9
• Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, to tone down inflammation¹¹Sedighi S, Faramarzipalangar Z, Mohammadi E, et al. The effects of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory markers in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2024;64. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-024-03515-7

Reducing inflammation with diet, exercise, and stress control

Although genetics play a significant role in lupus, studies show that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing SLE.¹²Choi MY, Hahn J, Malspeis S, et al. A combination of healthy lifestyle behaviors reduces risk of incident systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2022;74(2):274-283. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.41935 Limiting alcohol, not smoking, eating whole foods, and staying physically active are essential.

One of the most extensively studied diets for lupus management is the Mediterranean diet, which balances vegetables, fruits, and legumes with healthy fats and lean proteins. Eating this way is correlated with lower disease activity and reduced tissue damage.¹³Pocovi-Gerardino G, Correa-Rodriquez M, Callejas-Rubio J, et al. Beneficial effect of Mediterranean diet on disease activity and cardiovascular risk in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a cross-sectional study. Rheumatology. 2021;60(1):160-169. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32594173

Exercise is another effective and non-pharmacological tool for reducing fatigue and joint pain and improving mental health.¹⁴Spinelli F, Berti R, Farina G, et al. Exercise-induced modulation of interferon-signature: a therapeutic route toward management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmun Rev. 2023;22(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103412 Because stress is a well-documented trigger for lupus flares, activities that combine movement with mindfulness, such as yoga and walking, may offer dual benefits.

In addition, mindfulness-based stress reduction through meditation and breathing exercises may help alleviate the emotional and physical pain of lupus.¹⁵Taub R, Horesh D, Rubin N, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for systemic lupus erythematosus: a mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial of an adapted protocol. J Clin Med. 2021;10(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10194450 Managing stress helps patients develop a sense of control and stability, especially during uncertain health periods. Traditional Chinese medicine can also be effective in alleviating symptoms and slowing lupus progression, especially when kidney health is a concern.¹⁶Liu L, Zhang L, Li M. Application of herbal traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of lupus nephritis. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.981063

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for people with lupus. Obesity is a disease-aggravating factor, increasing systemic inflammation, symptom severity, and the risk of cardiovascular and renal complications.¹⁷Carvalho LM, Carvalho BG, Souza LL, et al. Obesity as an aggravating factor of systemic lupus erythematosus disease: what we already know and what we must explore. Nutrition. 2024;128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2024.112559

A personalized path to healing

Because lupus presents differently in each person, treatment must be tailored to an individual’s unique needs. Whether through medication, nutritional support, or stress-reduction practices, combining conventional and naturopathic therapies may offer the best hope for long-term management.

“The goal for each patient is to create an environment within the body that fosters healing and reduces the likelihood of future autoimmune activity,” says Dr. Stocker. “Building a strong therapeutic partnership with the patient is essential to ensure the best long-term outcomes.”

Footnotes

• 1
  Lubov JE, Jamison AS, Nelson BB, et al. Medicinal plant extracts and natural compounds for the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a systematic review. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.802624
• 2
  Voelker R. What is lupus? JAMA. 2024;332(15). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2823868
• 3
  Dimant J, Ginzler E, Schlesinger M, et al. The clinical significance of Raynaud’s phenomenon in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 1979 Aug;22(8):815-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.1780220802
• 4
  Islam MA, Khandker SS, Kotyla PJ, Hassan R. Immunomodulatory effects of diet and nutrients in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a systematic review. Front Immunol. 2020 Jul 22;11:1477. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01477
• 5
  Lee SJ, Silverman E, Bargman JM. The role of antimalarial agents in the treatment of SLE and lupus nephritis. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2011 Oct 18;7(12):718-29. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneph.2011.150
• 6
  Hevia A, Milani C, Lopez P, et al. Intestinal dysbiosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. mSphere. 2014. https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01548-14
• 7
  Hassanalilou T, Khalili L, Ghavamzadeh S, et al. Role of vitamin D in systemic lupus erythematosus incidence and aggravation. Autoimmunity Highlights. 2017;9(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13317-017-0101-x
• 8
  Minami Y, Sasaki T, Arai Y, et al. Diet and systemic lupus erythematosus: a 4 year prospective study of Japanese patients. J Rheumatol. 2003;30(4):747-54. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/126721
• 9
  Isola S, Gammeri L, Furci F, et al. Vitamin C supplementation in the treatment of autoimmune and onco-hematological diseases: from prophylaxis to adjuvant therapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137284
• 10
  Abbasifard M, Khorramdelazad H, Rostamian A, et al. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity and its associated complications: a randomized double-blind clinical trial study. Trials. 2023;24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07083-9
• 11
  Sedighi S, Faramarzipalangar Z, Mohammadi E, et al. The effects of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory markers in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2024;64. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-024-03515-7
• 12
  Choi MY, Hahn J, Malspeis S, et al. A combination of healthy lifestyle behaviors reduces risk of incident systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2022;74(2):274-283. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.41935
• 13
  Pocovi-Gerardino G, Correa-Rodriquez M, Callejas-Rubio J, et al. Beneficial effect of Mediterranean diet on disease activity and cardiovascular risk in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a cross-sectional study. Rheumatology. 2021;60(1):160-169. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32594173
• 14
  Spinelli F, Berti R, Farina G, et al. Exercise-induced modulation of interferon-signature: a therapeutic route toward management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmun Rev. 2023;22(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103412
• 15
  Taub R, Horesh D, Rubin N, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for systemic lupus erythematosus: a mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial of an adapted protocol. J Clin Med. 2021;10(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10194450
• 16
  Liu L, Zhang L, Li M. Application of herbal traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of lupus nephritis. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.981063
• 17
  Carvalho LM, Carvalho BG, Souza LL, et al. Obesity as an aggravating factor of systemic lupus erythematosus disease: what we already know and what we must explore. Nutrition. 2024;128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2024.112559